§ 73. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the reduction of the price of petrol from 4s. 3½d. a gallon three years ago to 1s. 8½d. at the present time, and in view of the further reduction in the price of tyres, he can now see his way to reduce the taxi-cab fares in London?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave him on 26th April last. I am afraid that, having regard to all the circumstances, my right hon. Friend cannot at present recommend a reduction of fares.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the price of petrol is now only 1½d. higher than it was in 1914, and is he also aware that in Paris new taxi-cabs have been put on and that the fare for a mile is only 3½d., 217 the equivalent of Frs. 1.15, and cannot he see his way to bring about a reduction of 2d. a mile at least in this country?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that a very large proportion of the drivers themselves are in favour of this reduction?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIn regard to the second question, I may mention that no representations have been received from any of the owner-drivers themselves in the sense indicated by my hon. Friend. In reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, I would like to point out that there has been a drop in the price of petrol of only 3 ½d. a gallon, and that equals a drop of only one-sixth or one-seventh of a penny per mile on a basis of 20 miles to the gallon.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYHas there not been a drop in the last two years from 4s. 3½d. to 1s. 8½d.?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThat was the substance of the reply given the other day, to which I have referred my hon. and gallant Friend.